Beech Mushrooms Recipe

In my Asian market, there are always abundant choices when it comes to mushrooms—shiitake, enoki, button, portobello, buna shimeji, chicken drumstick/king oyster mushrooms, etc. I love mushrooms as they are one of the healthiest foods to eat, plus they are low in calories and are often organically grown.

This week, both white and brown beech mushrooms (buna shimeji mushrooms) are on sale. I got a couple of boxes of them but don’t really have a good recipe to prepare them. I then think of Japanese recipes as mushroom is a mainstay in Japanese cuisine and I had personally savored delicately flavored mushroom dishes during my trips to Tokyo. After flipping through my Japanese cookbook, I decided to cook the mushrooms with some dashi, soy sauce, sake, mirin, and butter.

The end result was simple, pleasing, and delicious. I really enjoyed the dish. Now, do you guys love mushrooms? And which is your favorite?

For me, it’s a tossup between shiitake and enoki! I love the silky and earthy qualities of shiitake, but the sight of cute, delicate enoki always delights me. Never had beech mushrooms, must try them soon.

This dish looks deilicious. I love mushrooms,how ever our selection here in middle Georgia is a bit limited. Its even difficult to find canned Straw mushrooms. If you are very lucky, you will happen across some shitake that are a bit long in the tooth, very sad indeed. I’m afraid we are still at the mercy of the commercial growers, white button mushrooms. But as always you give us hope with your beautiful dishes. On a brighter note, we have been serching the Pecan orchards for the elusive “Blond Pecan Truffle”, native to middle and south Georgia. So far all we have found are past their prime. :-(

The Korean market near my house sometimes has these for only $.99 per little carton! I will try your recipe it sounds good. I sauteed two packs with a little olive oil and butter mixed, with thin sliced red onion and garlic. After a few minutes I added a little red wine (I didnt have white!) and a little ume vinegar and a touch of soy sauce. I sprinkled with a little freshly dried thyme and black pepper…they were SOO good.